Xavier Vilalta (born May 8, 1980) is a Spanish architect and professor. He studied architecture in Barcelona, London, and the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Vilalta combines practice with teaching and lecturing in cultural institutions and venues. He has taught as a professor at Barcelona Tech ETSAB and the University of Lleida. In 2004 he founded the design firm Vilalta Studio in Barcelona, Spain. With his team, Vilalta developed his early work in Spain followed by international projects in emerging countries in Africa and the Middle East. His projects have been recognized by international awards such as the Young Architect of the year at the Leaf Awards 2008, and two consecutive awards, 2009 and 2010, the SAIE Selection of the energy exhibition of Bologna in Italy for the sustainability of his projects. In 2011, he became a Fellow of TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design). Design vision Xavier Vilalta's work focuses on nature and people as well as how to reconnect the two thinking about our contemporary urban life as part of the environment where Architecture grows from the local natural conditions and traditions. He is interested in vernacular architecture related to sustainability. He defines sustainability as the relationship between Architecture and the program it contains and its social values, the way it is designed and built and how it will perform in the future. Awards Recognitions 2007 - Selected building for the Lleida Architecture Awards 2005-2007: Municipal Kindergarten in Mollerussa, Spain 2008 - 1st prize : Leaf Awards 2008 for Arreletes Day-Care Centre, Els Alamús, Lleida, Spain in the category of young architect 2009 - 3r prize: International Competition: SAIE Selection 09 in BolognaFiere - 11 Urban Houses project. 2010 - Selected building for the Lleida Architecture Awards 2007-2009: Arreletes Day-Care Centre, Els Alamús, Lleida, Spain 2010 - 1st prize : International Competition: SAIE Selection 10 in BolognaFiere - Melaku Center 2011 - TED Fellowship 2011 2013 - International Cooperation Award: Woldya Maternity, Ethiopia - Catalan Architects Association - COAC 2013 - Honorable Mention - MA Prize 13 - Modern Atlanta 2016 - Archdaily 1 of 10 Best Architecture projects of 2016 - Lideta Mercato Shopping mall 2017 - Archdaily Building of the year 2017 - Shortlisted - Lideta Mercato Shopping mall 2017 - Prix Versailles - UNESCO - World winner - Special prize exterior design - Lideta Mercato Shopping mall Prix Versailles Competitions 2004 - Finalist International Competition: La